The spokesperson, when
questioned about why the rumors started up, attributed them to an
earlier demonstration of the upcoming software.

This
official statement from IBM contradicts the Associated Press
report that started the buzz this week. The Associated Press
report claimed that the software would be released at LotusSphere and
would be available free of charge via download to users with an
active Lotus Web-access license or for a yearly fee for new
customers.

The software was supposed to drive further business
sales of the iPhone, but whether users even care about this
revelation remains to be seen. Some analysts remain skeptical
that the hip iPhone and the somewhat droll world of Lotus Notes even
overlap in terms of user base. Says Kevin McIsaac, an analyst
at research firm IBRS, "I can't really imagine someone who's
really hip and cool--like an iPhone user--wanting to use Lotus
Notes."

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This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

Whatever it's considered, it's almost just as business functional as any windows 6.1 phone. Sure, I loose the ability to edit word and excel files, and that may be important to some, but no serious edits to any document are going to be done with any smartphone (unless a person hates themself). On top of that, the interface is much more efficent, easier to use, and quicker. Once set up, I can access _all_ my email accounts faster than I ever did on any other smartphone.

Lotus notes will help to change this perception but that's all it is really going to do, change a perception. The functionality for what most business users use a smartphone for is already there.

Yes it is a bit quicker, for showing off pictures and videos, but how is that business related?

However it needs the following.

3G! If you are serious about business then high speed is a must, not for the phone but when you tether it. Most people on the road have a laptop with them, they just don't want to drag it out. Which leads me to the next line.

Tethering - again when I do need to remote in to the office and do some real work I want to use my laptop, and I don't want to pay for another data plan.

VoiceCommand - I cannot overstate how good this feature is. To be able to manage calls and appointments without taking the phone out of my pocket is awesome (and with no training Recording Voice Tags is a joke).

Full Keyboard - The iPhone's will do in a pinch, but for any serious typing a tactile is much better.

Built in GPS - Google maps is free and with TomTom I can have a full blown GPS.

Exchange DirectPush - Waiting 10-15 minutes for an email to show up on IMAP is a joke, if you can even get your office to enable it. And even if all goes well it still does not sync the calendar and contacts. Great for those who have assistants that keep their appointments up to date.

You are forgetting the most important app - email. 99% of the enterprise email market uses Blackberry Server or MS Exchange ActiveSync. Apple needs to support one or the other (or both) to succeed in this sector. IF not, they will never even get anywhere.